EDMONTON – Memories are funny, don’t you think?
For years they can vanish.
Sink into darkness so deep they may never return.
Then even the tiniest spark can bring them back.
Flooding your mind with details as vivid as the day you lived them.
A taste, a touch, even a sound can be your catalyst.
For me, this time, it was one sentence. Actually, half a sentence.
“…before the Colisée is torn down in September.”
I was half asleep at the time, doing what I do best, dozing in front of the TV. I certainly wasn’t anticipating a report on the final game of the Memorial Cup. Really, it’s quite remarkable I caught that line at all, but I’m glad I did.
The Colisée is the rink in Quebec City. THE rink. Former home of the Nordiques and more recently home to the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts. Some of the game’s greatest players have skated on that ice and some of the game’s best fans have watched from the seats. On the last day of May this year, the Memorial Cup was the old rink’s finale.
I’m not one of the game’s greatest players, I’m not even one of its best fans. But, I do own a piece of the rink’s history. At least I do in my memory.
For 56 years the Colisée has also been at the heart of one of the biggest Pee Wee hockey tournaments in the world: Tournoi Internationale de Hockey Pee-Wee. It’s exactly as grand and romantic as it sounds. Guy LaFleur, Mario Lemieux, Wayne Gretzky, they all played in it. In 2001, so did a bunch of 12-year-olds from Moose Jaw.
There were 17 of us, actually. The Pee Wee Tier I Warriors. None of us made the NHL. For 10 days in February, though, we lived a hockey dream.
We flew on planes, stayed with billets, took guided tours and signed autographs. We played teams from across the globe: Quebec, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles (Bobby Ryan), Switzerland and Slovenia (Anze Kopitar) for those who are keeping score.
The tournament officially ended for us on Valentine’s Day. Slovenia (who said we smelled like goats) beat us in overtime. Back then nothing could hurt more, but back then we hadn’t really thought about girls yet. After the game I looked up at the rafters and promised myself I’d be back in the Colisée one day.
I’ve never been back. Now I know I never will. But, that’s OK.
When you’re 12, Pee Wee hockey is the foundation of a blossoming hockey career. When you’re 28, Pee Wee hockey is a small stepping stone in life.
We didn’t take that step on our own, we had the help of coaches, parents and sponsors. These people gave us something we can never repay. They know who they are and they know 16 boys and one girl owe them an immeasurable debt. Thank you.
There used to be a picture of our Pee Wee team in a glass case at the Kinsmen Arena. I don’t know if it’s still there. If it is, and you happen to see it, take a close look. We’re grown up now. Some still live in Moose Jaw, some of us don’t. The best part is, a lot of those kids are still very good friends. A few even have their own kids who will be in Pee Wee soon. We didn’t win then, but we’re winning now.
I didn’t watch the last game at the Colisée. I didn’t have to. But, I did see that it ended in overtime. That made me smile.
I’m not sure when I’ll skate through these Pee Wee hockey memories again. But when I do, it’s going to feel just as good as the day I lived them.
Memories are funny like that, don’t you think?
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